US Supreme Court rejects Oklahoma death row inmate's appeal

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from an Oklahoma death row inmate who argued that a racist juror tainted the outcome of his trial.

The high court on Monday declined without comment to hear Julius Jones' case, The Oklahoman reported.

Jones, who is black, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1999 shooting death of Paul Howell, a 45-year-old Edmond man who was white. Jones argued that his case should be reviewed because a juror referred to him by a racial epithet.

"Obviously, we are disappointed by the decision," said Dale Baich, a public defender in...